Hydraulic plant and screen thbrefqe



Nov. 9 1926. 1,696,546

F. o. WALLENE HYDRAULIC PLANT AND SCREEN THEREFOR Filed August 2, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 9 192s. 1,606,546

F. O. WALI.LENE

HYDRAULIC PLAN T AND SCREEN THEREFOR Filed August 2 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 9 1926.

F. O. WALLENE HYDRAULIC PLANT AND SCREEN THEREFOR wst 2, 1922/ 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Flled Nov. 9 19 1,606,546

F. O. WALLENE HYDRAULIC PLANT AND SCREEN THEREFOR Filed August 2; 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ally at v 5.

Patented Nov. 9, 1926.

FRANK 0.. WALLENE, LAKEVIOQD, OHIO HYDRAULIC PLANT AND sonnnn renames,

Application filed August 2, 1920. Serial No. 403,839.

J'Qhis invention relates to hydraulic plants, and more particularly to the screens'which are interposed between the forebay. and the penstock for the-purpose of removing from the water such, refuse as might interfere f by the accumulation of chips and other small litter; the provision of a screen of such construction as to ,permlt 1ts ready and corn plete removal as a unit for purposes of re placement or repair; while further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. The essence of my invention resides in the, employment of a screen of the endlessbelt type, whose sections shall be movable in such wise that only one run of the same shall be operative at one time. r

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a sectional view through a portion of a water-power plant showing the application of my screen thereto; Fig. 2 a side elevation, with partsbroken away, of the said screen and its mounting; Fig. 3 a detail in section and Fig. 3 a detail in plan of such screen and its mounting; Fig, 4- a detail in perspective of the screen and mounting; Fig. 5 a detail in perspective illustrating the manner of supporting one of the channel guides for the screen rollers upon the top of an I-beam support; Fig. 6a sectional detail of a part of the screen; and Fig. 7 a detail in perspective of a portion of one of the I-beam supports.

I Describing the parts by reference characters, 1 denotes the forebay. Q'the penstock and 3 the turbine of a water-powerplant, the said turbine being provided with a shaft 4 for driving a generator, indicated gener- Projecting from the power house, and indicated generally at 6, is a trough 7 which is adapted to receive the material removed from the water delivered to the penstock from the screen. The parts thus far de scribed are such as are ordinarily employed in hydro-electric and other waterrpower plants, although my. improvements are ervoirs and otherhydraulic plants.

Mounted in the concrete or other wall 8,9 enclosing the forebay' are a pair of opposed I-bcams 10, the exposed web and flanges of such beams forming upwardly and rear wardly inclined mountings for the screen assembly, which will now be described. This assembly comprises a pair of opposedchannel members 11, each mounted in an I-beam and preferably with their webs presented toward each other "and each with its rear flange 11 engaging therear flange of an equally applicable to pumping stations, res- I-beam. Secured to the upper end of each channel member 11 is a bracket 12, which brackets jointly support a. sprocket 13, the shaft 14 whereof is shown as mounted on split bearings provided on such brackets. Secured; to the lower end of each channel 11 IS a bracket 15 each having a split bearing supporting-the shaft 16 of'a sprocket 17. Each channel 11 is provided with a hook 18 which is adapted'to engage thelupper end of the rear flange 10 of an I-beam, whereby the channels 11, with their brackets, sprockets, and screen (to be described hereinafter) may be removed from the supports formed by the I-beams. i

The screencomprises a plurality of trans versely extending screen members each of which is pivotally supported from opposed side links, each screen member being provided. Witha shelf adapted to convey to the upper sprockets and to dump into the trough 7 any material in the liquid which might'intcrfere with the operation of the screen, the screen thus constituting an endlessfconveyor for such refuse material. In addition, each transverse member of the screen is provided with gravity-operating means for swinging it about its pivots in such manner that the screen members on the rear side of the screen will be separated and the rear side will be open to. the flow of the water discharged through the front and operating part; or side of the screen. A i i 19 denotes generally one of the side links of the screen. Each of these side links is proyided with a fork at one end thereof, its opposite end being adapted to be inserted betweenthe forks of the next adjacent link. Each member 20 of each fork is supplied "on its screen-supporting face with a pairof opositely' extending inclines 21 and 22. ,ecure d to the inclines 22 of each opposed pair of side links is a shelf, the shelf beingpreferably a bulb angle member or beam, one flange 23 of which is secured to the inclined portions 22 of opposed side links, as by rivets 24. The flange23 carrying the bulb 23* projects from the front of the screen outwardly and forwardly into the forebay, the said flanges serving as shelves to elevate the refuse matter collected by the screen. The overlapping ends of the side links are connected by pins 25, eaclrconstituting a'journal. for a roller 26' adapted to engage the front flange 11 of a channel 11 and each roller being provided with a. flange 26 engaging the web of a channel member.

The channel members thus constitute up- -31 having its flanges presented outwardly,

with a cover plate 32bearing against such flanges, thus providing room within the channel flanges for bending; or clinching the ends 29* of the screen wires.

Secured to the flange 23 of each bulb angle shelf, as by rivets 33, are a pair of hooks 34, each'hook having abase 34 for the reception of such rivets, These hooks receive the portion of the channel frame 31 ad acent thereto and "provide means for pivotally supporting the upper ends of the screen members'on the front or refuse-receiving side of the screen and the lower ends of such members on the rearv or delivery side of the screen. Each screen member is provided at the end opposite its pivotal. connec- .tion with a screen projecting at substantially right angles thereto. One of these screens is shown in detail in 1 and comprises the wires 35, which are secured at one end within the channel 81 of the adja cent end of the main screen, and a frame 36 (preferably similar to the frame 31, 32), projecting at substantially right angles from the last mentioned frame and braced from the side members thereof, as by means of inclined struts 37.

Each shelf formed by a bulb angle has secured near each end thereof, and on what will be the upper face of the flange 23 in the rear portion of the screen, a sprinig 38. the purpose of which will now be described in connection with the operation of 7 the screen.

I The parts being constructed and arranged as described and the shaft 14 being driven by the chain 27, the front portion of the screen will move upwardly, the rollers 26 supporting the screen upon the tracks formed by the fiang 11 of the channel members 11. The screen will operate to re move the refuse from the water, the shelves formed by the bulb angles elevating such refuse as may pass through and beyond the of which is adapted to receive the rollers on two or more of the side plates 19. Each guide 39 is pivotally suspended at or near its upper end from a bracket 12, as by means of a link 4.0. The lower end of each guide 39 is adjustably supported from a channel 11, as by means of turn-buckle 4:1. This construction serves the double purpose of affording a convenienttake-up for slack in the chain and of affording a sharp inclination to that portion of the chain which overhangs the trough 7, thus serving the more surely to remove adherent litter and enabling the trough to be set so close-tothe chain that none of that litter will fall back i caught by the springs 38. Fron and below' the level of the water in the foii'ebay, the screen members comprising the rear section or portion of the screen project substantially horizontally, thus providing a free flow through such roar section for the water screened by the active or" front portion thereof togetheijwith any chips or other small litter which may work through the active portion.

l' 'i hen it de alive the screen assembly, as for purposes of inspection or repair, the chain 27 will generall need to,

be removed from one of itssprockets, after which the entire screen assembly (comprising themembers 11, the sprockets 13 and 17, and the floating supports may be lifted from (hell-beam support screen, repaired, or a'like screen assembly, may be replaced within the I-beam supports or guides, the hooks 18'engaging1 the tops of the L for convenient removal.

The se me s and supporting; the assembly loo Having thus "described my invention, What I claim is:

1. In a hydraulic plant, the combination of a forebay, an endless screen extending across said forebay, the said screen'c'omprising 'a plurality of (transversely extending members, each member being pivot-ally supported at "one end thereofand'provi'ded at its opposite end with a gravity-operating device adaptedto'svving it about its pivotal suppornand springs on said carrier and an f ranged between the members thereof in position to be engagedby a member--thereabove When such member'is swung about its pivotal support.

4 2. a hydraulic plant, the combination of a forebay, "an endless screen extending across'said'forebay, the said screen comprising a plurality of transversely extending screen members each pivoted at one end and each having an outivardly extending screen [projection at its opposite end, supports carried by the screen assembly between the members thereof, and springs {on each of sald supports arranged -each to engage the screen member 'the'reabove as said member members "and "adapted 'to swings about its ,pivot.

3. In a .hy'dr'auhc plant, the combination of a forebay, and an endless screen extend ling across saidfo'r'ebay-,'the said screencomprising a pluralityof'transversely extending: screen members each pivoted at one end and having" each an outwardly extending screen projection atits opposite end, shelves carried bythe screen members, and spring carried by each shelf and arranged to be engaged by the 'l'll'IIlbBIi thereabove w'vhen such memb'er swings about its pivot.

4. In 'a hydrja'ulic plant,th'e combination of 'a "forebay having vertically extending guides on opposite sides thereof, apair of channel members each removably mounted Within .a guide, sprockets supported at the tops and "bottoms of fsa id channel members,

an'endless screen mounted on "said sprockets, rollers on said jscreen adaptedfto engage said members, "and hooks carried "by said engage their respective guides. x

5. In "a hydraulic plant, the "combination of a torebay having 'vertically "extending guides on oppo'sitefsifdes"thereof, a pair of rails each reinovably "mounted within a guide, sprockets supported at the tops and bottoms of said rails, an "endless "screen "mountedon "sprockets, rollers on said screen 'ad'apted'to engage 'sald'm'embers, and

means carried by said rails for reinoyably supporting the same fwithintheir respective guides. W v p 6. In a "hydraulic plant, the'combination of a forebay, achanneled guide member mounted in each side of said forebay and each having its "flanges projecting into the forebay, a pair "of channel members each mounted Within the cliannelof a guide member a'nde'ac'h having ah'ook adapted to engage the upper end of one 01": the'llanges of such lmember, an endless screen, driving a means for said screen supported by said said channel members. I

'8. In .a hydraulic plant, the combinati'on of a forebay, vertically eitt'ending' guides located on opposite'sides of the foreb'ay, a sup- "porting member mounted in each guide, an

[endless screen comprising a plurality of transversely extending members, driving means for saidscreen carried 'by'saidsupporting members; each screen memberhaw ing at eachside thereof a side plate having :forks one 'en'd thereof adapted to receive the endof the side plate of an "adjacent screen member, pinsconnecting; the 'ends of "adjacent side plates, "and a roller mounted on each pin and adapted (to engage thesaid supporting members.

The combinatiom'ivith a pair ofs-paced supporting members, of an endless""screen comprising plurality of "transversely extending members, each screen member having at eachxside thereof a side plate having forks at one end thereof adapted to receive a the end of theside plate ofan adjacent screen member, pins connectingthe ends of adjacent side plates, and a roller mounted on each pin and adapted to'enga'ge its supporti ngmember;

10. In a hydraulic plant,the co iibina tion of a forebay, supports extending vertically on opposite sides {of said fo're'bay, a rail mounted in each support, sprockets supported by" said rail, an endlesssc-iieen mountfedon said sprockets, said screen comprising a plurality of transversely"'eiitending screen members eachpivotally supported at one end, rollers on each lnember adapted to engage jsaid Trails, guides for th'erear upper "p012 'tion of said screen, 'means a djustably supporting said guides from said rails, means cooperating with "each screen member for swinging the same "about its pivotal sup- "port, and means for limitingsuch swinging 'moyement. v

11. In a hydraulic plant, the combination of a forebay, an upwardly extending rail *on'each'si'de ofsaid forebay, sproclrets'sup ported by said rail, an endless screen mountally supported, rollers carried by said screen and cooperating with said rails, shelves projecting outwardly from said screen adjacent the pivoted. end of each screen member, gravity means cooperating with each screen memher to move it about its vertical support when on the rear side of the screen. and one or more springs carried by each shelf and adapted to limit the movement of the transverse member adjacent thereabove.

18. In a hydraulic plant, the combination of a forebay, guides mounted in opposite sides of said forebay, an endless screen comprising a pair of rigid supporting members each mounted in a gulde, a plurality oftrans versely extending screen members, rollers carried by said screen members and engaging the said supporting members, sprockets for said screen carried by .saidsupporting members ,and means connected with said supporting members for adjusting the tension of said screen, said supporting members and screen members being removable from said guides as a unit. v

14. A screen for the purpose described comprising opposed series of side plates, each plate ,having a fork at one end thereof adapted to receive the end of an adjacent plate and each fork having an inclined surfacean an ular shelf secured to the melmed surfaces .of opposed side plates, hooks secured to the flange of the angular shelf which is secured to the side plates, and a screen mem her supported by the hooks of each angular shelf.

15. A screen for the purpose described comprising opposed series of connected side plates, angular, shelves secured respectively to opposed side plates, and a screen member pivotally supported at one end from, each shelf. I g

16. A screen forcthe purpose described comprising a plurality of transversely extending screen members, each of said members being pivotally supported, and shelves projecting outwardly from said screen be tween the members thereof. 7 v

17. An endless. screen for the purpose de scribed comprising a plurality oftransversely extending screen members each having an angularly projecting screen extension const tuting an elevat ng bucket, and shelves e'oaeee neath when such member is swung about its pivot. 1 V

19. In hydraulic apparatus, in combination. a water passage, a pair of opposedupright channels formed in the walls thereof, a pair of rails removably mounted in said channels brackets carried by the upper and lower ends of said rails, sprocket wheels journaled to said brackets, chains carried by said Wheels and having steadying devices which run along said rails, screening devices carried by said chains, and extending across the water passage, and meansfor driving said chains. V j

20. In hydraulic apparatus, in combination, a water passage, a. pair of opposed upright channels formed in the walls thereof, a pair of rails removably mounted in said channels, brackets carried by the upper and lower ends of said rails, sprocket wheels journaled to said'brackets, chains carried by said wheels and having steadying devices which run alon said rails, means'for driving said chains in a direction .to raise that side which lies upstream, and movable screening devices, carried said chains adapted to lie closely together upon the upstream side so as to obstruct the passage of litter and to become separated on the downstream side so as-not to obstruct the passage of litter. l

.21. In hydraulic apparatus, the combination of a forebay, a pair of rotatable members mounted upon. horizontal axes, one at the bottom of the forebay and the other above the water level, an endless screening device surrounding said members and extending laterally from wall to wall of said forebay, means for rotating one of said members, a guide ateach side of said force bay engaging the margin of said screening device upon its'descending side, and a litter receiving trough located betweenand beneath said guides.

22. In hydraulic apparatus, the combination of a forebay, a pair of rotatable members mounted upon horizontal axes, one at the bottom of the forebay and the other above the water level, an endless screening device surrounding said members and eX- tending laterally from wall to wall of said ,forebay. means for rotating said-members in a direction to elevate the upstreamrun of said screening device and an adjustable guide adapted to engage each margin of said device upon its descending run and draw it toward the ascending run, and a receiving trough located adjacent such descending run.

23. In hydraulic apparatus, the combination with a 't'orebay, of a pair of rotatable members mounted upon horizontal axes, one at the bottom of the forebay and the other above the water level, a pair of chains comprising opposed series of connected side links, one chain located adjacent each wall of the forebay, means for rotating said members to elevate the upstream runs of said chains, adjustable guides engaging the downstream runs of the same and carrying the same toward the upstream runs, and screen panels pivoted to said links adapted to lie closely together on the upstream side and to lie widely apart on the downstream side.

24. In hydraulic apparatus, the combination with a forebay, of a pair of rotatable members mounted upon horizontal axes, one at the bottom of the forebay and the other above the water level, a pair of chains comprising opposed series of connected side links, one chain located adjacent each wall of the forebay, means for rotating said members to elevate the upstream runs of said chains, rectangular screen panels having their upper margins pivoted to the upper ends of ascending links on horizontal axes and having outwardly projecting flanges carried by their opposite margins, guides engaging the descending runs of said chains to carry the same toward the ascending runs so as to dump said screen-panels, and a trough into which said panels discharge.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto allix my signature.

FRANK O. l/VALLENE. 

